QuestionIntroductory Biology course Does placing students with different learning

skills into teams improve students’ knowledge of core content?

Trudy GillevetNorthern Virginia Community CollegeAnnandale Campus

Why Interesting and ContextStudent success in Introductory Biology is a

target course for improvement at Northern Virginia Community College

Student population:Over 114 languages spokenMany first generation college studentsCompeting demands/ obligationsStudy Skills are not necessarily up to

par

Study DesignGroup people in teams (3 or 4) in class and for

on-line discussion of study skillsGrouping based on initial pre-test

Teams: 1. in class – discuss and answer content questions 2. online discussion of study approaches and questions with content (open ended)

Data Collection and AssessmentHow collect data:1. Pre-post class assessment of core biology content (BCI or another assessment / modified) to define

teamsPost assessment embedded in Final Exam

2. Final reflections on what learned about Biology and what learned about learning

How assess data Measure gains in learning of core conceptsCoding of students’ responses to Final Reflections